Warning signal



Nov. 12, 1 929. c. A. PERSONS WARNING SIGNAL Filed Oct. 28, 1927 //\/l/E/\/ TOR:

B)- I, 'ATTORNEY 30 can also be made of 4 shapes,

Patented Nov. 12, 1929 PATENT OFFICE CHARLES A. PERSONS, 0F WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS WARNING SIGNAL Application filed October 28, 1927. Serial No. 229,425.

This invention relates to reflecting signals of the general character used in giving traffic warnings of some kind, such as indicating the location of dangerous crossings,

curves in the highway, or the presence of another vehicle. The invention will be herein disclosed as embodied in a reflecting signal designed to be used on a vehicle to perform the functions of a tail light, but arranged to give its warning solely by reflected light.

It is the chief object of the invention to devise a signal of the general character above mentioned which will be exceptionally effective while still being economical to manufacture.

The nature of the invention will be readily understood from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawings, a Figure 1 is a front elevation of a signal constructed in accordance with this invention; and

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view substantially on the line 2-2, Fig. 1.

The device shown comprises a reflector 2 ordinarily made of colored glass but which any other equivalent translucent material, the color being selected in accordance with the nature of the use which is to be made of the signal. As illustrated, this reflector is provided on its rearward surface with a multitude of conical projections 3 and with a marginal rim 4 which extends rearwardly somewhat beyond the ends of the projections 3. lVhile the reflector can be made in a great variety of sizes and designs, since it is preferably made by molding, I prefer ordinarily to use the flat plate-like form shown.

Located immediately behind the translucent reflector 2 is a flat mirror 5 which may be either ofmetal or glass, the glass type usually being more preferable. It is backed up by a sheet 6 of carboard, or other resilient material, and both reflectors are mounted in a casing which comprises a rim or bezel 7 and a back 8 secured to it by rivets 9. This casing preferably is made of metal and it performs the functions of protecting the reflectors and holding them in cooperative relationship to each other, and also affording a convenient means for securing the device to a motor vehicle. For the purpose last named the rim 7 is provided with holes 1010 to receive screws or other fastenings. It will be observed that the rim or bezel 7 has an inwardly turned marginal portion 12, the

edge of which bears on the outer face of the reflector 2.

The use of the mirror with the reflector in substantially the relationship shown not only greatly increases the brilliancy and effectiveness of the reflector, but it also increases immensely the angularity of the reflector so that the field within which it can be seen clearly by light reflected from a given point is widened very substantially. The device is particularly useful on trucks since the configuration of the body of a truck makes it difficult to. see the ordinary tail light except from certain rather restricted positions. When the"rear end of a truck body is equipped with two of these signals, a red one on the left-hand side and a green one on the right, they can not only be clearly seen from a great distance in the rear of the truck, but they are so brilliant that they force themselves on ones attention. Since they are not dependent on an electric lamp or other internal source of light, they are exceptionally reliable.

While I have herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.

Having thus described my invention, I desire to claim as new is:

2 i eeme A reflecting signal of the character described comprising a colored translucent reflector having a multiplicity of angular light refracting projections extending from the rear face thereof, a mirror located immediately behind said reflector with its reflecting surface facing said reflector, a casing comprising a bezel surrounding the edges of said mirror and deflector and having a margin overlying the margin of the reflector, and a back secured to said bezel and protecting the mirror.

CHARLES A. PERSONS. 

